Obituary of Elizabeth Bruce Peterson

Elizabeth (Liz) MacKinnon Bruce was born in Hilo, Hawaii on June 19, 1936, to James C. Bruce and Margaret (“Maggie”) Craig Bruce, both of whom were immigrants from Scotland. Liz was very proud of her Scottish heritage. Two of her granddaughters became Premiere Scottish Highland dancers through hard work and dedication.   

She died on October 8, 2020 at Solvay Hospice House. Her cremains will be interred in the Caledonian Grounds of Forest Hill Cemetery.

Liz was a graduate of Punahou High School in Honolulu, and was delighted to watch on TV the Punahou Marching Band lead the inauguration parade of President Barack Obama, also an alum.

Liz graduated from Macalester College in 1958 with a degree in elementary education, and spent all of her working years as an elementary or preschool teacher in Minneapolis, Virginia and Duluth.

She volunteered at Solvay Hospice House for 10 years. She was a 50 year member of P.E.O. Chapter DD, and an avid supporter of the Sierra Club and the Nature Conservancy. She was a past member of Pilgrim Congregational Church and the Duluth Woman’s Club.

Liz married Barry Peterson in the Wailuku Union Church, Kahului, Maui on August 26, 1961.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents and stepmother, Ruthe Winchell Bruce, who lovingly raised her as a daughter, her daughter, Heather and her brother, William.

She is survived by her husband; sons James (Teresa) and Bruce (Danielle); grandchildren, Miranda, Hannah, Samuel, Maxwell and Zoey; and brothers, James, Robert and John.

Liz was a very caring person all her life, first as an older sister and then as a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, volunteer, friend and neighbor.

The family thanks the staff of Essentia Health, Essentia Health Hospice and Solvay Hospice House for their care, compassion and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Sierra Club or Nature Conservancy.